Municipal Workers considering taking PIKITUP to court

The South African Municipal Workers Union’s (SAMWU) Greater Johannesburg Region is currently consulting its lawyers, with an intention of engaging in a legal battle with municipal entity PIKITUP.

In April 2011, PIKITUP SAMWU members embarked on a legal strike that ensued for more than two weeks, demanding the following;

1. The dismissal of the Managing Director who subsequently resigned.

2. Forensic investigation into the finances of the company.

3. Investigation of corrupt activities in relation to tenders and mismanagement of finances in the company.

4. Employment of all Labour Brokers employees and those sourced through third party contractors.

During this strike SAMWU managed to secure permanent employment of all Labour Broker staff. The agreement further stated that employee’s salaries will be increased from R3000.00 to R6122.00. Of which the increased amount will become the minimum wage at PIKITUP and the City of Johannesburg.

It is regrettable that PIKITUP management decided not to honour the agreement in relation to the adjusting of employees’ salaries.

With regards to the forensic investigation, SAMWU is aware that the report has been handed over to the Managing Director Mr Lawrence Boya. Mr Boya is currently refusing to share the report with SAMWU, in what we believe is an attempt to protect his friends who are fingered in the report. We are also aware that the report has confirmed SAMWU allegations regarding mismanagement of finances and corruption.

It is as a result of the above that we will continue to advocate for the removal of Mr Boya and the appointment of a new Managing Director. At this moment in time the Union cannot rule out the possibility of industrial strike action, up until such time workers demands are met.

We can no longer blame the African National Congress for the failure of deployed comrades to deliver on the mandate of the ANC. We trust that Mayor Comrade Parks Tau will start engaging SAMWU on issues that affect the performance of our World Class African City.

We will also engage the member of the mayoral committee responsible; in order to ensure that we utilize all spaces made available to us.